Burning Bush (Kochia Trichophylla)

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If you are looking for an ornamental plant that is a true stunner then Burning Bush is for you! It is absolutely mind blowing when its feathery pale green summer foliage switches to a brilliant red in fall. Often used as an informal hedge, but it can also be good as a container plant. ​It is native to central and eastern Europe and Asia and was likely introduced as an ornamental in the mid- to late 1800’s. It can be found in a very wide range of temperatures and climatic regions throughout the world, but is particularly adapted to arid and semi-arid regions, such as the Canadian prairies and the Great Plains region of the United States.

Containers?: Yes. Grow Burning Bush in rich, well-draining potting soil in a glazed ceramic, plastic or wooden container. Increase the potting soil’s fertility by adding one part worm compost to the mix at planting.

Height: 28”

Spacing:24-36”

Sow Depth:On soil surface

USDA Zone:3-11

Produces:upright, shrubby plant with feathery green foliage that turns an intense red during late summer and early fall.

The seeds of the kochia require no special treatment prior to planting. They are tough seeds with a rough triangular appearance. Left to its own devices, the plant naturally spreads its seeds each year when the plant dries, breaks away from its root system and the wind carries it like a tumbleweed across the expanses. As the plant is carried across the ground via the wind, the flat, grayish-black seeds are strewn across the soil's surface and readily take hold in the dirt to germinate the following spring.

Sow your seeds indoors in pots but do not cover them and keep them at the temperature of 61-65 F. Germination time should occur in 10 -14 days. Light is a required and you must keep seeds moist until germination occurs. Set out your transplants when they are large enough to handle.

Planting outdoors should be done in late April to early May. Liming of the soil to a pH of 6.0 is recommended. ​As Burning Bush is hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

In the spring, the field where the kochia seeds will be planted should be prepared. The soil should be plowed or disked so that all weeds are removed. An application of nitrogen should be tilled into the soil at a rate of 50 to 100 pounds per acre. Kochia seeds can be broadcast across the field at a ratio of one to four pounds per acre. The seeds can also be planted via the drilling method. Create 36 inch rows across the acre. Plant 1 pound of seed in the row using a standard drill at a depth of 1/4 of an inch below the soil's surface. Avoid planting the kochia seeds too deep. When planted below 3/4 of an inch of soil the seeds will often not emerge at all or the growth rate is poor.

Once the seeds have emerged from the soil, its advisable that the plants be thinned to promote vigorous plant growth. Ideally the seedlings should be thinned to two to ten plants for every square foot of ground.

Kochia plants do not compete well against weeds and grasses. The field where kochia is grown should be kept relatively weed free for optimum growth of kochia plants.

Harvest should take place when the plants stand 18 to 26 inches in height. Cutting the tops off the kochia plants to harvest will allow three or four harvests per season. At the end of the growing season, before winter sets in, farmers often allow the kochia to produce seeds and harvest the seeds using a combine.

In Japan and China the fresh fruit is used as a food garnish on some dishes (Yoshikawa et al., 1997) and the seeds are ground into flour (Usher, 1974).

​The seeds of kochia have also been shown to contain other chemicals that could have beneficial human uses, such as compounds that could be use to treat ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, and some human pathogenic bacteria (Friesen et al., 2009; Goyal and Gupta, 1988; Borrelli and Izzo, 2000).

Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

During early stages of growth, Kochia scoparia is palatable and has high forage value for all classes of livestock and can be hayed or grazed (Everitt et al., 1983; Stubbendieck et al., 2003). Kochia provides cover and the seeds are used as food by both songbirds and upland game birds (Stubbendieck et al., 2003). The large quantity of high protein seed makes kochia valuable for poultry feed (Friesen et al., 2009). Kochia is also eaten by deer and pronghorn (Stubbendieck et al., 2003).

Kochia scoparia is palatable to all classes of livestock. The nutritional value, when immature, is similar to that of alfalfa (Stubbendieck et al., 2003). Kochia scoparia can be toxic to livestock and may cause death if consumed in large quantities by cattle, sheep, or horses (Sprowls, 1981). Kochia has been known to cause polioencephalomalacia and hotosensitization in range cattle (Dickie and Berryman, 1979). Kochia has been identified as containing saponins, alkaloids, oxalates, andnitrates all of which are toxic substances that seem to be more toxic during times of drought and during seed maturity (Dickie and James, 1983), so caution should be used when using kochia as forage for livestock. It is recommended that kochia forage should consist of not more than 50% of livestock ration (Mir et al., 1991; Saskatchewan Agriculture, 1986). Kochia stands can be grazed by livestock directly but care should be taken to prevent poisoning. Rotational grazing of other crops and not grazing for more than 90-120 days should help prevent poisoning (Undersander et al., 1990). Feeding supplemental phosphorus is recommended for livestock grazing on kochia due to the low amount that is present in the plant (Undersander et al., 1990).

If kochia is cut for hay or silage it should be cut before it has produced seed when it is between 18 – 26 in (45.7 – 66 cm) tall (Undersander et al., 1990). Under irrigated and fertilized conditions kochia could be cut up to four times a year (Foster, 1980). Reports of hay production has varied from 1 ton/acre (2.25 t/ha) (Hanson 1988) to 11.5 ton/acre (26 t/ha) (Foster, 1980) depending on region, moisture, and fertilization.

​If it is cut for hay, it will likely need to be crimped and crushed after cutting and is going to take between 10-30 days to cure (Hanson, 1988). Kochia is more resistant to spoiling, even with rain, and can be baled at higher moisture levels than with other crops (Hanson, 1988). If hay is harvested when it is too mature and contains coarse stalks, then bales will need to be processed (i.e. ground) and mixed with other forages for livestock to readily consume it (Hanson, 1988).

Erosion Control and Bioremediation: Kochia can be used for control of soil erosion. Undersander et al. (1990) indicated that it is able to survive in a variety of harsh soil conditions, including sandy and alkaline soils. Kochia scoparia is drought, salinity, and grasshopper tolerant and is able to grow in areas with very thin topsoil (Friesen et al., 2009). It is especially suited to arid to semi-arid regions (Friesen et al., 2009). It has the ability to germinate and grow at anytime during the growing season ​and will provide quick groundcover to protect the topsoil. For large inaccessible areas it can be sown using airplanes, making it ideal for revegetation after a fire.